DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement in response to the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida:

“I’m heartbroken by the tragedy in Parkland. My heart goes out to the victims of this senseless shooting and their families, as well as all of the brave first responders who prevented further carnage.

“We have seen these atrocities too many times before. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. This is not inevitable. It’s long past time for our leaders to stop pretending we are helpless in the face of such tragedy.

“No child should be afraid to go to school. No American should be afraid to go to work or their place of worship. No one in this country should be afraid to go to a shopping mall or baseball field, night club or movie theater, concert or college campus. We must come together as Americans and do everything we can to ensure that horrific attacks like this become a thing of the past.”